Summer Harvest
by Debbie
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July is a glorious time of year; the farm looks beautiful with a riot of colourful flowers around the yard. The front border, recently replanted by one of our volunteers, is themed with pinks, whites and dark-red leaved plants, and the dark leaved elder tree finally came into its own last month with lovely umbels of pale pink flowers.

The “ordinary “ white elderflowers have been abundant this year and have been transformed into Elderflower “Champagne” and a wonderful fragrant jelly, available to buy in the shop. For a limited time only, the “Champagne” can be enjoyed in the Granary. Plenty of berries are left for the wildlife, and for harvesting in the autumn.
In the sensory gardens the blackcurrant bushes are laden with fruits which have been used in desserts in the Granary. The fruit bushes which were planted last year in the vegetable garden have already begun to bear fruit; gooseberries, redcurrants, also more blackcurrants, and the longer established raspberries have kept every one busy picking.

Some of the salad potatoes have been harvested this week; it is always exciting to lift the first tubers, and see how well each plant has produced. The rain has sent the courgettes into 'overdrive' and the beetroot are looking very healthy. The people involved in the horticultural project are very busy just now, but it is very satisfying, seeing the fruit from all the tiny seeds sown at the beginning of the year.

We do thank the Lord for his daily provision in all the different areas at Caring For Life, but most of all we give thanks for seeing people coming to know His love for them and seeing the fruits of His love born out in their lives.

Debbie